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One man I
met there insisted that he was not a victim of
the hurricane. He refused to have a “poor me” attitude and
announced wholeheartedly and with determination that he is a
survivor! He wasn’t about to be dependent on anyone else, act
helpless, cry “whoa is me”, or sit back and wait for someone
to come to his aid. With his “can do” attitude and know-how,
he was well on his way to having his life back in order, and
was helping others at the same time. He was a pleasure to
talk with and was a real-life example to me of how people end
up as either victims or survivors and how attitudes are
choices.
It’s
clear to me that the true victims of the hurricane (or any
disaster, misfortune, or unplanned and unwelcome situation),
are both those who died from it and those who choose to be
victims, by believing that, and behaving like, they are. I
think it’s sad when people make the choice to be a victim,
however unconscious or subconscious it may be, because it
seems so unnecessary. No matter what life throws at us, we
can all be survivors and still know it’s okay to need and ask
for help sometimes.
One of the
tasks given to our team was to bring back the answer to the
question, “What do people down there need?” The rest of the
Katrina Task Force members of the Catholic churches in
Naperville wanted to know what they could send down that would
help the most. So, we asked.
After some
reflection, the answer, though short and simple, seems quite
profound to me.
“People.”
Yes, those
who lost their homes, and everything else they owned, will
need most of those items replaced, if possible…eventually.
After they get their house repaired so it’s
inhabitable, rebuilt, or find a new one. Meanwhile, living in
a tiny FEMA trailer, or with other family members, friends, or
neighbors affords them no place or space to use or even store
common household necessities.
The costs of
getting the required repairs to make their homes livable are
astronomical and overwhelming to residents who only receive a
small pittance, if anything, from insurance companies. Many
local and visiting construction workers and other service
providers are taking advantage of the situation by charging
extraordinary fees.
Most of the
people don’t have the time, energy, skills or knowledge needed
to get their houses back in shape on their own. Their
finances are limited, especially if they lost their job. For
those homeowners who have the time and can do some of the work
themselves, waiting for supplies to be delivered will take
months because of the demand. Some can pick up supplies to be
used, but then need someone else to do the repairs.
That’s where
“people” can help. People, of all shapes, sizes, and ability
levels who volunteer their time and efforts are greatly needed
and extremely appreciated by the hurricane survivors. People
who are available and willing to assist give much more than
what the eye can see as a result. They offer hope that the
survivors’ lives can get back to some sense of normalcy.
Their presence helps sustain the strength, determination and
perseverance of the hurting, and affirms that they are not
alone. It renews and sometimes sparks a new faith in life,
America, God and humankind.
I witnessed
all this while I was down there trying to put a small dent in
what needs to be done. Those wonderful and beautifully
spiritual people were thrilled and very thankful for the
musical instruments, prayer shawls, rosaries, books, cards,
and other gifts we’d sent down and delivered. But, when they
saw us at their homes and joining their choir for their
Thanksgiving mass, the light of happiness shone through the
overwhelming tiredness in their faces. What a blessing that
was for me to see! It helped me realize the impact of our
short visit and reinforced just how important it was. What an
awesome gift it was to be a part of showing that people care.
Real people, with faces, not just names or addresses from
afar.
I’m very
grateful for everyone with whom I made the trip for allowing
me the part I played and helping me discover some abilities I
didn’t know I had; for everyone else who helped make the trip
possible; and for all the prayers for a successful mission,
which it was. Thank you for all your wonderful and generous
contributions of time, talents, and treasure.
I’m also
very grateful for our hosts at St. Ann’s and Camp Hope for
their loving southern hospitality, and for the folks who
allowed me to work on their houses and property. By letting
me share my talents and accepting my gift of help, you’ve
affirmed my worth and value as a person which, for some like
myself who are unemployed, can be something that is questioned
or doubted.
People.
Family, friends, loved ones, neighbors, co-workers,
acquaintances and strangers. You. The fact that you’re in my
life is so easy to take for granted, and rarely do I
acknowledge how important you are to me, or give you the
credit that you deserve. I want you to know that I thank God
for the gift each one of you are in my life, and none of you
are or ever will be a “has-been” to me. Once you’ve been even
a slight part of my life, you’ve made a difference and I’ve
been affected and blessed for my lifetime.
As heard on
a recent TV commercial, “the best presents don’t come in
boxes”. Being one who is not big on either giving or
receiving presents, I totally agree with this. I have always
had a much larger, and most often unfulfilled, need for the
presence of people, rather than presents from people. God’s
gift to us at the first Christmas was the presence of Himself
in Jesus, which, I believe, to be the greatest gift of all
since Jesus’ presence on earth led to His dying for our
salvation.
My Christmas
wish and prayer for you is that you have opportunities to, and
spend time with important people in your lives and those you
love, and that you want what you get if you don’t get what you
want.
God’s
blessings of peace, joy and love always,
Anna Jean
Napierville,
IL
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